Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-08-05
PART Iv.-cHAPTER L
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Mrs. Willis and Helen, need rest, quiet
and comfort. All this was kindly Sc
cured TO them in the home of Mrs.
Willis sister, in Boston. The latter
was now a widow of ample means, and
greatly attached to these, her only
relatives. Welcoming them TO her
house at this time, she was at once in
formed of late occurrences at Province
town. The engagement of Helen to
Henry Crawford had been made under
her own eyes, rs it were. She now
learned from her niece that he had
gone to Cuba with Lopez. The news
papers had informed her of the dis
astrous fate of the expedition. In The
whole outlook she saw nothing but
sorrow and misfortune to. come for
these two; and she resolved that, so far
rs she could control events, their sad
path in life should be frightened by
whatever wealth. aided by warm alice
ton, could bring to them.
1t was in this comfortable home that.
little by little, Mrs Willis learned the
fate of her husband. First came the
certainty that the "Nellien had left Ha-
yana OH the second day of Septem-
Der. Afterward the report of the char
acter of the crew reached her, and the
suspicious entertained on the wharf at
Boston, rising almost to a painful GER
tainty as time went on, that mutiny
had ended the long and honorable ca
reer of Captain Willis-perhaps that OF
the vessel. The dreadful truth came
on. at last. The charred and blackened
hulk Of vessel, just the size and di-
mansions on the water of the bark.
vas discovered grounded on the low
shores of New Providence. remote
from any of the inhabited parts. Moth
ing but burned rim remained above
the water; brief search discovered
some ndistinguishable human remains
ne ar what had been the cabin. Those
who were familiar with marine regis
tiers, and the comings and goings of
merchant-yessels. had no doubt that
this was all that remained of Captain
Willis vessel, nor that he, and perhaps
his crew. had persisted by some I'M
Snown calamity Of the ocean, That
the destruction had been by fire was all
that was certain.
For this intelligence Mrs. Willis and
her daughter were of course prepared.
They mourned for the lost husband and
father; but they had for weeks been
mourning in silence, anticipating such
somber certainty as this.
In the presence Of this grief. neither
of them had bestowed any further
thought upon Louis Hunter, his recent
mission from Captain Willis, or his
startling announcement of what he
had seen on that dreadful night in the
old house at Provincctown. They had
not seen him since the morning that
followed that night; they hoped never
again to see him or hear Of him.
Poor Helen Willis lived and still
hoped under the cloud of her own over
shadowing grief, Not word had
reached her directly from Henry Craw-
ford since the letter that told her he
had Joined Lopez. The dreary list -oi
Crittenden's men, slaughtered ty
Spanish yolleys after their surrender.
was published in the papers; her
lovers name was not in it. Other
lists followed. of captive filibusters de-
ported to Spain in irons, for whom the
American Government was making In
tercession, but he was not named
among them. She was heavy-hearted,
and yet hopeful His cruel silence
seemed like the silence of the grave,
yet she had no positive intelligence of
either his death or his captivity, and
hope with her was beacon that never
expired.
The days went on till October was
well-nigh spent On one Of those gold
en- afternoons, Helen sat in her room
alone. She had been reading for the
thousandth time that last letter of hel
beloved; she had kissed it again, and
cried over it. The strong, passionate
yearning of her heart went out to him
over seas and lands; she could not,
would not, think him dead.
Her aunt raped at her door, and
entered.
"Helen," she said, ''there's poor
vagabond-looking fellow down below
In the parlor who insists on seeing
you. He looks as if he wanted chaiityi
but l couldn't get rid of him by offer
ing him half dollar. He was so car,
nest about it that finally let him in"
81 suppose it's one Of my Province
town sailor-friends," Helen replied
I'm go down"
The stranger attempted to rise al
she entered the parlor He walked
with two canes, but seemed so feeble
that they could not support him in hi'
attempt.
"Pray. don't rise" Helen said
'Wbat do you wishP' !l.lI
II have walked too far" the man
said. His voice was weak, his face
was wan and hollow but there was o
fire in his eye that spoke OF the inva'
lids ambition to be away from tbs
sick,room. 81 am not long out of the
4 hospital; the doctor says should moi
be out yet"
"Wbat do you wishP" she asked
again. touched by bis appearance and
manner
! II was directed to Miss Helen
Willis" he said. "You are the lady,
supposed Well. miss, I've been in
Cuba: I've seen rough times there with
the lilibusters; there were not many Of
us got away. Not knowing from one
day TO another II we should ever see
home again. we used to give each
other messages to carry for us. There
was one fellow gave me some word for
YOU: and now it is curious can't think